Director’s Comments

Silvermont Opportunity Center

364 East Main Street

Brevard, NC 28712

Phone: 828-884-3166

Email:

I would like to dedicate my comment space and this poem to my father and all of the wonderful fathers, grandfathers, father-in-law's and step-fathers we honor

on Father’s Day: Thank you for being there for us:

You are my hero, Dad You're my secure foundation.

When I think of you, I'm filled with love And fond appreciation.

You make me feel protected; I'm sheltered by your care.

You're always my true friend; and Dad, When I need you, you're always there.

You have a place of honor Deep within my heart.

You've been my superhero, Dad, Right from the very start.

By Joanna Fuchs

Happy Father’s Day, Chris Parker, SOC Director

Enjoying the Peak of Life

The mission of the Silvermont Opportunity Center is to invig-orate and enhance the quality of life for adults over the age

of sixty in Transylvania County. We provide a range of ser-vices, activities, programs, and opportunities designed to en-

courage active aging and improve the health & well-being of older adults in our community.

Silvermont Opportunity Center is open to all who are 60 years of age and better. There are no membership fees. You may make a dona-tion to WCCA to help underwrite the costs of

our programs, instructors and program equip-ment. All donations are appreciated and are

tax deductible.

Silvermont Opportunity Center

June 2016 Newsletter A division of

estern arolina ommunity ction

SOC 884-3166 www.wcca.net

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A Memorable May Happening in June

64 and Counting?

Are you getting close to that magic age of 65 when you become eligible for Medicare? Or have you been on So-cial Security Disability for over two years and are becom-ing eligible for Medicare? If so, you should learn about the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) which of-fers free, one-on-one counseling with unbiased information and education on the topic of Medicare and the many choices available to you. At the Sil-vermont Opportunity Center on Monday June 20, 1-3pm, cer tified SHIIP counselors will present “Medicare and You” in a group setting. This pro-gram will steer you in a direction to make decisions that make sense for your individual situation. Topics include all the decision points for those who will be eligible soon: those who will be eligible soon: initial enroll-ment, automatic enrollment, Part B (medical benefits), Part D ( drug Plan benefits and late enrollment penalties), Employer Group Health Plans, Medicare Advantage plans as well as choices determined by retire-ment compared to continuing to work. The SOC group session can get you started on “Your drive to 65” on June 20 or you can call the Transylva-nia County Cooperative Extension service @ 884-3109 to schedule a one-on-one counseling appointment for free, unbiased information and educa-tion on the topic of Medicare and the many choices available to you.

Mayor Harris & Sheriff Mahoney visit SOC

May was a very busy month here at SOC! Our guest speakers were Brevard Mayor - Jimmy Harris and Transylvania County Sheriff - David Ma-honey. We want to thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak with our SOC/Lunch Plus participants .

Happy Birthday wishes went out to our very own Leona Dowell. She

turned 95 on May 26, 2016. Leona’s examples of positive thinking, kindness and happiness make our days much brighter here at SOC. We love her and hope her 95th birthday was memorable. PS...we are preparing to celebrate her 96th!

Just a Reminder

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Silvermont Opportunity Center Services

Page 6 Page 3

Odds & Ends

We can assist you in accessing these services.

Please see a staff member if you have questions or need our assistance.

Health Screenings Fitness and Health Promotion Counseling about Insurance Tax Preparation/Counseling Legal Services General Transportation Medicaid Transportation Support Groups or Classes for Caregivers or Others Facing Challenges Housing Assistance One on One Reverse Mortgage Counseling Home Repair/Modification Home Health Services In-Home Aide Services Medicaid Benefits Medicare A & B Enrollment Medicare Part D Social Security Benefits

Job Training Job Placement Congregate Meals Home-Delivered Meals Adult Day Care / Day Health Mental Health Disaster Preparedness Train-ing/Assistance Durable Medical Equipment/Assistive Devices Hospice Care Long-Term Care Facilities/AAA Ombudsman Rehabilitation Services Reporting Suspected Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation Respite Senior Games Telephone Reassurance Energy Assistance Programs (LIEAP, Fan Programs, etc) Food Distribution (Food Pan-

try, Ensure, etc.) Conversations With The Director Meet with SOC Director, Chris Parker, to share your opinion on how things are going at the center, exchange ideas on new programs you would like to see, or concerns that need to be resolved. There are so many exciting things happening here at SOC! 2016 is going to be a great year, and we want as much input from our participants AND from those of you who do not regularly take ad-vantage of all our programs. The sessions will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00am to 10:30am. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Stop by or call us for more information - 884-3166

Afternoon Front Desk Volunteers Needed

Looking for something to do in the afternoons? We have a solution for you. We are seeking “afternoon volunteers” here at SOC. SOC volun-teers usually provide 2 hours of their time on the day of their choice. Duties consist of monitoring our front desk, assisting participants and meeting and greeting visitors. We have Weds and Thurs from 12-2pm and Mons, Weds and Thurs from 2-4pm currently available. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting our volunteer efforts here at SOC, please call us at 884-3166. Thank you!

In Need Of Some Home Improvements? Residents of Transylvania County can apply for a grant for home repair. The funding is available NOW, so if you or a friend or relative meet the following requirements, be sure and call the number listed below. Requirements:

Someone in household is elderly (62+) and/or disabled. Income less than 80% of county median.

Owner occupied Site-Built Only (sorry, no manufactured houses)

House needs any of many types of repair. Including: Energy efficiency improvements.

Better handicapped access. Plumbing repair and electrical upgrades.

Call Benchmark Planning at 1-800-650-3925 ext. 114

SOC Event Sponsors Needed

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Higher Grounds Coffee Room:

Help us bring back our “coffee room” on Thursday after-noons, but with a new “twist”. In an effort to reach out to the community and form new partnerships, our idea is to invite local businesses to “sponsor” our coffee room for 4 weeks /

one month. The business would then have the opportunity to share infor-mation about what they provide to everyone who comes in for a coffee

or lemonade. You might even consider offering a more formal “seminar” or “presentation” about your services. We would promote the “seminar” in our monthly newsletter, but would also ask that you adver-tise it also, to ensure that more people attend. We want our community

to see Silvermont as a place to learn and receive help with local re-sources as well as promote out local businesses. Together we can reach more older adults and provide benefits and information at the same time.

Call 884-3166 for more information.

Lunch Plus Birthday Parties:

Do you like to bake cupcakes? Do you enjoy throwing birthday parties? Help us celebrate the birthday’s of those attending our “Lunch Plus” nutrition program by hosting a birthday party! We would like to start celebrat-ing all our birthdays with a monthly party and invite you to “sponsor” one of those monthly events. Help us make these days even more special by signing up to bring something sweet ( cupcakes, sheet cake) refreshments and maybe a few small decorations. You may want to plan a special game to play or bring your children with you to sing Happy Birthday! Come join in the fun we have here at Lunch Plus.

Please call 884-3166 if you would like to help!

Cornhole Anyone?

My friend, Betty Bessette, called me with a ! She suggested that we try to organize a “Front Porch” Cornhole league here at SOC. We would set up the Cornhole games on our front porch so you would be out of the direct sun and rain. We don’t have set dates or times but would like your input. If you or anyone you know would be interested in playing Cornhole here at SOC, please call 884-3166. What are you waiting on? Let’s get it going.

Do You Have a Radio Voice?

Here’s another ! We are searching for “The Voice of Silver-mont” to do a pre-recorded weekly/monthly spot on our local WSQL ra-dio station, with their approval, of course! This would include a brief announcement about the special events and activities happening at SOC! If you know someone with that great “radio voice”, ask them to give us a call here at Silvermont—884-3166. We want to talk with YOU!

“Front Porch Ferns”

keep popping up here at SOC! Do you enjoy taking care of plants? We are looking for that “green thumb” who would be willing to supply and maintain hanging ferns or flowers for our front porch! The porch has hooks already in place. This, of course, is season-al and would add such a wonderful touch to the center. If you are the “green thumb” we are looking for, call us at 884-3166 and let’s make a plan!

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Silvermont Opportunity Center Activities

Ageless Grace: This seated, upbeat and fun exercise program, taught by certified instructor, Carol Gerson, addresses balance, flexibility, muscle strength, breathing and self-confidence. Free Write: Eager to w rite? Join class instructor, Darleen O ’Dell, as she leads the group in a writing session. Lunch Plus: I f you are age 60 or older and would like to come out M-F and enjoy a morning exercise class, guest speaker or brain games and a hot lunch to follow, consider calling the center for more information regarding our very popular Lunch Plus Program. Call the center at 884-3166 for more infor-mation and enrollment. This program is funded through our Home & Community Care Block grant. Mah Jongg: Join the longest running program at Silvermont. This is a game of Chinese origin, played by 4 people and beautiful tiles. The object of the game is to build a winning combo of tiles. Mountain Music: A Silvermont tradition, this Thursday night jam session (7:30pm-until) features some of the finest bluegrass pickers and singers in our area. Long-time musician and Silvermont supporter, Harley Raines, leads this very popular night of great music. Always open to the public, all musicians are welcome to play and sing. Moving Free: Don ’t fit into a typical fitness class? Then “Moving Free” may be for you. This low-impact exercise class (for older adults with physical limitations) will focus on increasing your mobility, dexterity and strength. Class will meet every Thursday, 1:30-2:30. Non-Fiction Book Club: Come out on the third Tuesday of each month to discuss books of local interest and find out the book choice of the month. ** This class will be resuming soon—watch your newsletter for more information ** Pilates Yoga Fusion: Yoga is extremely popular worldw ide because of its rejuvenating, feel good qualities. However Pilates protects people from over-stretching & exercise injuries because you learn to move from your core. Together they make the perfect anaerobic workout. This class is led by renowned Yoga/Pilates instructor Kashmyra Asnani.

Readers Theater: This award w inning classroom theater program originat-ed in Michigan in 1992 by Julie Vorus who brought the program to our center. Par-ticipants will read one act plays, scenes, monologs and radio and television scripts in a relaxed atmosphere. No auditions, memorizing or experience required! Audi-ence-only interested persons welcome. Reader’s Theater is on summer break. This program will resume Monday ,September 12th, 2016. Sit & Stitch: Bring your knitting, crocheting or needlework and join this talented group of women for a “Sit & Stitch” morning. Social Bridge/Novice Bridge 101: Join one of our largest programs as they try to trick their opponents. Consisting of placing bets where the highest trump wins is just part of this highly popular card game.

Social Dance: Learn to dance gracefully for weddings, ballrooms or night-clubs with instructor Rhonda Smith. The cost is $20/couple per class and $12/ sin-gles per class. Call 884-3166 to register. Super Scrabble: Join our word-game lovers to play on the big board to create words in a crossword style. Tai Chi Practice: Andrea Heidmann leads this class in this Chinese martial art and meditative exercise with the assistance of videos. TC Library Book Mobile: Need to return a book, pick up a book or just in-terested in what the book mobile has to offer? The Transylvania County Book Mo-bile comes to Silvermont the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:30-10am. Ac-cess to the book mobile will be in the parking lot behind Silvermont. Please have your library card ready. You may also apply for a library card with the book mobile. Tech Guy Assistance: Our tech-savvy volunteer, Bob Tharpe, will meet with you for 1 hour, one-on-one to assist you in answering questions you have about your technical device (camera, computer, cell phone, computer, IPAD, IPOD etc.) This is a FREE service but you must register by calling the center at 884-3166 to schedule an appointment for Mondays between 1pm and 4pm. Woodcarving: Open to all skill levels. Come out and enjoy one of Appala-chia’s oldest art forms—woodcarving. Led by volunteer and woodcarver Carl Munn. Yoga: Join instructor, Andrea Heidmann, as she leads the class for in-creased mediation, better posture and improved breathing with video assistance. Zumba: Join our upbeat and energetic, instructor Rianna Perry-Mullins, as she leads a great cardio/dance workout to popular upbeat Latin music. Call 884-3166 for fees.

Drop-In Activities: Board Games, Internet Access, Walking Trails, Ten-nis Courts, Basketball Court, Lending Library, Puzzles, Learning Gar-dens, Information Center, Mountain Music.

June 2016

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9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-12pm Sit ‘n” Stitch 11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace 12:30-2pm Super Scrabble 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Glen Cannon Bridge 3:30pm FOS Meeting

2

9-10am Yoga Practice 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 1:30-2:30 Moving Free 3-5pm Woodcarving 5:30—6:30pm Social Dance 7:30-until Mountain Music

3 9-10am Free Write Friday 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 12noon SOC Closed

6 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-11am Zumba 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Tech Guy (By. Appt. Only)

7 8:30-9:30am Tai Chi Practice 9:30– 12pm Lunch Plus 10-10:30am Conversations with The Director 1-4pm Social Bridge 1-4pm Novice Bridge 101 6-7:15pm Yoga Pilates Fusion

8 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-12pm Sit ‘n” Stitch 11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace 12:30-2pm Super Scrabble 1-4pm Mah Jongg

9 9-10am Yoga Practice 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 9:30am TC Book Mobile 1:30-2:30 Moving Free 5:30—6:30pm Social Dance 7:30-until Mountain Music

10 9-10am Free Write Friday 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 12noon SOC Closed

13 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-11am Zumba 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Tech Guy (By Appt. Only)

14 8:30-9:30am Tai Chi Practice 9:30– 12pm Lunch Plus 1-4pm Social Bridge 1-4pm Novice Bridge 101 6-7:15pm Yoga Pilates Fusion

15 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-12pm Sit ‘n” Stitch 11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace 12:30-2pm Super Scrabble 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Glen Cannon Bridge

16 9-10am Yoga Practice 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 1:30-2:30 Moving Free 3-5pm Woodcarving 5:30—6:30pm Social Dance 7:30-until Mountain Music

17 9-10am Free Write Friday 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 12noon SOC Closed 2-4pm Second Floor FREE Museum Tours

20 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-11am Zumba 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Tech Guy (By Appt. Only) 1-3pm Medicare 101 w/ Elaine Deppe

21 8:30-9:30am Tai Chi Practice 9:30– 12pm Lunch Plus 1-4pm Social Bridge 1-4pm Novice Bridge 101 6-7:15pm Yoga Pilates Fusion

22 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-12pm Sit ‘n” Stitch 11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace 12:30-2pm Super Scrabble 1-4pm Mah Jongg

23 9-10am Yoga Practice 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 1:30-2:30 Moving Free 5:30—6:30pm Social Dance 7:30-until Mountain Music

24 9-10am Free Write Friday 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 12noon SOC Closed

27 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-11am Zumba 1-4pm Mah Jongg 1-4pm Tech Guy (By. Appt. Only)

28 8:30-9:30am Tai Chi Practice 9:30– 12pm Lunch Plus 1-4pm Social Bridge 1-4pm Novice Bridge 101 6-7:15pm Yoga Pilates Fusion

29 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 10-12pm Sit ‘n” Stitch 11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace 12:30-2pm Super Scrabble 1-4pm Mah Jongg

30 9-10am Yoga Practice 9:30-12pm Lunch Plus 1:30-2:30 Moving Free 3-5pm Woodcarving 5:30—6:30pm Social Dance 7:30-until Mountain Music

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday